Donna Culbert, CPDT-KA
I am a Certified Professional Dog Trainer - CPDT-KA I earned my title CPDT-KA from the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers.
(https://www.ccpdt.org/certification/dog-trainer-certification/)
I have been training dogs professionally since 2004. I became interested in dog training after my one year old Golden Retriever, Murray, had become aggressive in certain situations. After reading many books and lots of hours working with my dog, Murray earned his Canine Good Citizen title and actually became a therapy dog for the MSPCA. Together we enjoyed providing comfort and laughter for residents of a local nursing home.
Experience and Education
I got my start at Mt. Ida College where I graduated from the 2 year Canine Behavior and Training Program. I earned hands on experience from volunteering as a dog walker and trainer at the Quincy Animal Shelter. I volunteered for 9 years as the Canine Training Manager. I then spent 6 years working for Scituate Animal Shelter as the Canine Behavior and Training Coordinator. I evaluated each dog for temperament and adoptability. I developed training plans and conducted obedience classes with volunteers and dogs of the shelter. I continue to volunteer with shelter and rescue dogs.
I also spent a year volunteering for the Prison Puppy Program for NEADS/Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans. Each weekend I would socialize and train the puppies that lived with inmates at a prison during the week. After about a year the puppies were placed with a deaf or disabled person.
Certifications and Credentials
I teach my classes and Puppy Day Training at my own studio in Jackson Square, Weymouth. I am also the Training Director and board member of the New England Dog Training Club in Cambridge, MA. I am a Certified Professional Dog Trainer by the Certification Council of Pet Dog Trainers. In addition, I am a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator from the American Kennel Club, a member of the APDT, Association of Pet Dog Trainers, The International Association of Animal Behavioral Consultants and the National Association of Canine Scent Work. I attend many seminars and workshops throughout the year to earn Continuing Education Credits. I compete in the sport of Nosework with my dog, Sammy.
Recent seminars include those by Aggression Dogs Seminar with Michael Shikashio, workshops and lectures by Dr. Ian Dunbar, Dr. Nicholas Dodman, Suzanne Clothier, Dr. Susan Friedman, Sue Sternberg. I recently earned the opportunity to join an exclusive group of trainers to be among the first to train wolves, coyotes, foxes and bison at Wolf Park, a Wolf Sanctuary in Indiana.
I am committed to proven science based methods that are compassionate, kind and fear free for dogs and their humans.